SOIL-LANDSCAPE MODELING AND SPATIAL PREDICTION OF SOIL ATTRIBUTES

Explicit and quantitative models for the spatial prediction of soil an d landscape attributes are required for environmental modelling and ma nagement. Ln this study, advances in the spatial representation of hyd rological and geomorphological processes using terrain analysis techni ques are integrated with the development of a field sampling and soil- landscape model building strategy. Statistical models are developed us ing relationships between terrain attributes (plan curvature, compound topographic index, upslope mean plan curvature) and soil attributes ( A horizon depth, Solum depth, E horizon presence/absence) in an area w ith uniform geology and geomorphic history. These techniques seem to p rovide appropriate methodologies for spatial prediction and understand ing soil landscape processes.